to the love of my life, our next first lady, michelle obama. and to malia and sasha, i love you so much, and i am so proud of you. four years ago, i stood before you and told you my story, of the brief union between a young man from kenya and a young woman from kansas, who weren't well off or well known, but shared a belief that in america their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to. it is that promise that has always set this country apart - that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one american family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well. that's why i stand here tonight. because for two hundred and thirty two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women - students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive. we meet at one of those defining moments - a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the american promise has been threatene